PhD in Ecology and Environment: how ecosystems, and the species they contain, respond to environmental change and how to reduce and mitigate adverse impacts

Environmental change threatens biodiversity, altering ecosystem processes and provision of ecosystem services. These environmental change pressures are accelerating due to growing human populations and accompanying climate change, land use, pollution and invasive species. To solve some of the biggest challenges facing humanity, we need researchers with an in-depth understanding of how ecosystems, and the species they contain, respond to environmental change and how to reduce and mitigate adverse impacts.

World leading experts in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences address these questions using a combination of skills including population dynamics, genomics and DNA sequence analysis, statistical and ecosystem modelling, field work, and laboratory and greenhouse studies, remote sensing and GIS. We operate across the world’s biomes from temperate regions, to the Arctic, tropical forests, savannas and the oceans. We work across taxonomic groups including microbes, plants, invertebrates, fish, mammals and birds. Much of our research is conducted in collaboration with national and international conservation agencies, government departments, industry and farmers to provide solutions to major sustainability issues concerning environmental change issues, including urbanisation, deforestation and forest degradation, agricultural expansion, invasive species, pollution and climate change.

Ours is a truly international environment, in the heart of one of the best student cities in the UK. Our research involves collaborations with colleagues in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. Our postgraduate community is vibrant and diverse and we currently have over 100 graduate students carrying out PhD research, including numerous international students. We frequently host overseas staff and researchers attracted by the department’s and Sheffield’s outstanding reputation for high quality research and training.

Science Graduate School

As a PhD student in one of the science departments at the University of Sheffield, you will get access to training opportunities of the Science Graduate School designed to support your career development by helping you gain professional skills that are essential in all areas of science. You will be able to learn how to recognise good research and research behaviour, improve your communication abilities and experience the breadth of technologies that are used in academia, industry and many related careers. Visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/sgs to learn more.

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/biosciences/postgraduate/phd